This year, Pat Murphy's gang hopes to dispel the skepticism of the same onlookers, whose murmurs now too often come out something like, "You know, Monroe just might be pretty vulnerable right now."
After opening the season 17-0, the same way the Cheese spread it on to finish last season holding the golden ball, two losses in three games and the healing process of Brett Stangel's fractured right leg have doubters doing their thing.
This onlooker refuses to believe a loss can ever do more good than bad, but Monroe's pair of setbacks come awfully close.
Without Stangel and battling against two very physical clubs in Freeport (Ill.) and Badger North champion Waunakee, the Cheesemakers fell and took some lumps in the process.
But don't be surprised if, under the resulting pressure, those lumps turn into diamonds like coal when the postseason bulbs pop tonight when Platteville tries to challenge the Cheese, something Brodhead couldn't in last year's WIAA Division 2 regional quarterfinals.
Against any backcourt other than that of the aforementioned Warriors, the Tordoff brothers are, flat out, too much to handle. Junior Mitch is the level-headed leader who quietly dominates every phase of the game and, not-so-quietly, tends to bury the opposition with effortless-looking triples.
Then there's Bryan, your local freshman phenom. With springs in his legs, a deadly stroke and court savvy beyond his years, the younger Tordoff undoubtedly will evoke hollers of "He's a freshman" both tonight and in Thursday's semifinal matchup.
But let's not get ahead of ourselves. Here's a glimpse at all of the local clubs' first-round matchups:
VERONA REGIONAL>
No. 8 Platteville (7-13; 3-7, 5th SWC) at No. 1 Monroe (18-2; 12-0, 1st Badger South), 7 p.m.>
The scoop: >The Hillmen are a vastly-improved club as of late and even took Dodgeville down to the final minute recently in a 42-41 loss. That being said, this contest should be a fine opportunity for the Cheesemakers to practice winning without Brett Stangel in case the senior should not be ready to go in the semifinals. Look for senior post Tony Cates to go to work early inside and open up the passing and shooting lanes for Monroe's talented perimeters.
Stat sheet stuffers: >PLAT - Luke Ware, 5-10 jr.; Kyle Wagner, 6-1 sr. MON - Mitch Tordoff, 5-11 jr.; Tony Cates, 6-7 sr.
Prediction: >Monroe 62, Platteville 39
No. 6 Brodhead (8-12; 4-10, 7th Rock Valley) at No. 3 Dodgeville
(14-5; 8-2, 2nd SWC), 7 p.m.>
The scoop: >The Cardinals have shown flashes of brilliance and the ability to come through with big wins. Tonight they'll need to have all cylinders clicking if they want to hang with the deep Dodgers. Brodhead's bigs will have their hands full throughout with the Van Dyn Hoven brothers roaming the painted area and looking to earn resets for their potent offense.
Stat sheet stuffers: >BROD - Andy Swain, 6-0 sr.; Ryan Miller, 6-0 sr. DODGE - Bryan Rundhaug, 6-0 sr.; Holden Pratt, 6-5 sr.
Prediction: >Dodgeville 63, Brodhead 54
EVANSVILLE REGIONAL>
No. 5 New Glarus (9-11; 5-5, 3rd Capitol South) at No. 4 Parkview
(15-5; 11-3, 3rd Rock Valley), 7 p.m. >
The scoop: >The Glarner Knights don't want to hear about the fact that their club has a ton of upside for next season. They'll need key contributions from still-New Glarus seniors like Mike Preston and Parker Gabriel to get past electrifying sophomore point guard Nick Melton and the rest of the Vikings. The winner likely will draw the intimidating charge of facing Cuba City in the semifinals.
Stat sheet stuffers: >NG - Jake Bast, 6-1 jr.; Cassidy Flannery, 6-0 jr. PARK - Alex Mumm, 6-5, jr.; Nick Melton, 6-0 so.
Prediction: >Parkview 56, New Glarus 50
No. 6 Beloit Turner (8-11; 7-7, 4th Rock Valley) at No. 3 Darlington
(12-8; 7-7, 5th SWAL), 7 p.m.>
The scoop: >Since the Redbirds lost Cameron Ruef to injury, freshman Alex Erickson has emerged as a sure-fire future star. That being said, his big brother and Darlington leading scoring senior, Mitchell, has his club focused on trampling the Trojans and getting a third shot at rival Mineral Point in the semifinals.
Stat sheet stuffers: >BT - Reggie Cassimer, 5-11 sr.; Jaron Bertelsen, 5-11 sr. DAR - Mitchell Erickson, 6-3 sr.; Alex Ericskson, 6-0 fr.
Prediction: Darlington 60, Beloit Turner 49
DARLINGTON REGIONAL>
No. 5 Shullsburg (10-10; 6-6, 3rd Six Rivers West) at No. 4 Pecatonica
(10-10; 6-6, 4th Six Rivers East), 7 p.m. >
The scoop: >On paper, the records would lead one to believe this is an even battle. However, the disparity between the Six Rivers East and West was glaring Friday night as the third-place Miners fell to the last-place team in the East, Albany, 42-38. The Comets did, however, also put Pec to the test in a 46-42 loss at home three days prior.
Stat sheet stuffers: >SHUL - Brooks Lutes, 6-1 sr.; Ryan Leahy, 6-3 sr. PEC - Drew Moen, 5-11 sr.; Brandon Meudt, 6-1 sr.
Prediction: >Pecatonica 51, Shullsburg 39
No. 6 Southwestern (8-12; 6-8, 6th SWAL) at No. 3 Monticello
(15-5; 10-2, 2nd Six Rivers East), 7 p.m.>
The scoop: >The Ponies are charged with the task of taming a pack of cats that have cut their teeth on the bigger SWAL Conference this season. Permitted that Monticello contains the Tranel duo, the Ponies' depth should be far too much to handle.
Stat sheet stuffers: >SW - Michael Tranel, 6-2 sr.; Ryan Tranel, 6-1 sr.. MONT - D.J. McGowan, 5-9 sr.; Ryan Fink, 6-2 sr.
Prediction: >Monticello 58, Southwestern 44
No. 7 Argyle (6-14; 2-10 6th Six Rivers East) at No. 2 Black Hawk
(18-2; 11-1, 1st Six Rivers East), 7 p.m.>
The scoop: >Don't throw the records too far from the window in this conference clash. Despite any rivalry implications, the post season should bring out the best in a Black Hawk club that wants a second shot at Benton in what would be a regional final should the clubs both win twice. Joey Hartwig has been the most valuable Six Rivers East player this season, dominating every phase of the game, and tonight the Warriors' senior hopes to continue his dominance into the postseason.
Stat sheet stuffers:> ARG - Andy Bohlman, 5-9 jr; Kevin Berg, 6-1 jr.. BH - Joey Hartwig, 6-4 sr.; Alex Abraham, 6-1 sr.
Prediction: >Black Hawk 60, Argyle 41
EDGERTON REGIONAL>
No. 6 Johnson Creek (5-15; 3-13, 8th Trailways South) at No. 3 Juda
(9-11; 4-8, 5th Six Rivers East), 7 p.m.>
The scoop: >If this game is close, the edge rapidly goes away from the Panthers of Juda in the wake of four heartbreaking losses for Andy Werner's club. Look for Juda captain Kurtis Mansfield to come out like a man on a mission to make sure this game is decided early.
Stat sheet stuffers: >JC - Joe Bauer, 6-1 sr.; Andrew Heald, 6-6 sr. JUDA - Kurtis Mansfield, sr.; Beau Benner, jr.
Prediction: >Juda 52, Johnson Creek 40
No. 7 Albany (4-16; 1-11, 7th Six Rivers East) at No. 2 Burlington Catholic Central (13-7; 10-4, 3rd Midwest Classic), 7 p.m.>
The scoop: >One would be hard-pressed to find a 4-16 club at this point in the season that is more confident than your Albany Comets. However, in order to knock off a stalwart like B.C.C., Lance Hulbert must play shut-down defense. Adam Zurfluh must be lights-out shooting and Tyler Bauman will need to be the man inside. In other words, these Comets just may need their best game yet.
Stat sheet stuffers: >ALB - T.J. Zweifel, 6-0 jr.; Adam Zurfluh, 5-11 jr. BCC - Reese Hartlage, 6-3 jr.; Tristan Petsch-Horvath, 6-4 sr.
Prediction: >B.C.C. 61, Albany 43
